President's Biography

Tina M. Bjarekull

Tina Bjarekull is President of the Maryland Independent College and University Association (MICUA), a voluntary association of 15 private, nonprofit colleges and universities located in Maryland. MICUA provides public policy leadership and support of higher education, fosters cooperative efforts among colleges and universities, and serves as the official liaison between these independent institutions and the State and federal governments. In addition, Bjarekull serves as the Managing Director of the Independent College Fund of Maryland, which works with Maryland’s business community to improve college access, choice, and opportunities by raising funds to provide scholarships and grants to students attending twelve independent institutions in Maryland.

Prior to joining MICUA, Bjarekull served as the Deputy Superintendent for Finance at the Maryland State Department of Education and was responsible for the administration of fiscal policy, human resource management, procurement, school facilities, pupil transportation, and nutrition. Earlier in her career, Bjarekull served as Assistant Secretary of Finance for the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). In this capacity, she handled all fiscal issues related to State aid for public and private higher education institutions, including operating and capital budget requests and student financial aid. Bjarekull entered her professional career in the State of Maryland in the Department of Fiscal Services (DFS), an agency responsible for providing professional staff support to the Maryland General Assembly. While working for DFS, Bjarekull served several years as a Senior Analyst to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. Prior to moving to Maryland, Bjarekull worked for over ten years in the insurance and banking industries in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Bjarekull serves on numerous statewide boards, commissions, workgroups, and task forces on higher education policy, finance, and economic development. At the present time, she serves on the Governing Board of the Maryland Longitudinal Data System, the MHEC Segmental Advisory Committee, the GBC Education and Workforce Committee, the State’s Financial Aid Advisory Committee, the Maryland College Collaboration for Student Veterans,and the MANO Quality of Life Strategy Council.

In addition to her leadership on State organizations, Bjarekull serves on the Board of Directors of the Coalition for College Cost Savings (CCCS) and the CCCS Contract and Program Committee. CCCS leverages the collective buying power of more than 850 independent colleges and universities nationwide to reduce operating costs, improve the efficiency of internal procedures, and ultimately lower the cost of higher education. In addition, Bjarekull is engaged in activities of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), the NAICU State Executives (NAICUSE), and the Council of Independent Colleges. In the past, she has served on the Board and the Executive Committee of NAICU and as Chair of NAICUSE. Bjarekull holds an M.B.A. from Loyola University Maryland and an undergraduate degree from the University of Baltimore.